Baptism

baptism cross

There is one Love, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all.  Ephesians 4:5-6 

Baptism is the first sacrament celebrated in the process of becoming a full member of the Catholic Church community.  It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Baptism, like all the sacraments is a gift from God. Water is the universal symbol. Water is essential for all life.  Water cleanses and restores.  It is the waters of Baptism which gives us new life.

Getting Baptized at St. Jude

BAPTISMS ARE USALLY HELD EVERY 4TH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT THE 5PM, 9:00 AND 11:30AM MASSES

  1. Fill out and return the baptism preparation information sheet. If neither parent is a registered parishioner at St. Jude then you must also obtain a letter from your current pastor giving permission for the child to be baptized at St. Jude.
  2. Parents must attend the Baptism preparation class, once we have your completed paper work the Deacon will call you to set up a time.  It is not mandated that Godparents attend a preparation class but it is highly encouraged.
  3. Parents and child must attend the Stage II.
  4. Only one Godparent is required (but two are permitted).  A Godparent MUST be a practicing, confirmed Catholic – no exceptions! Godparents must have the enclosed Godparent Eligibility Form signed by their pastor indication that they are registered parishioners, practicing Catholics, and are qualified to serve as a godparent.
  5. Remember, Baptism is not a one-time event; you are committing your child to a way of life in the Catholic faith.  That means you must be working to follow that faith as well. First and foremost regular attendance at Sunday Mass.
  6. On the day of the Baptism, you are to bring the child in a TEE SHIRT UNDER GARMENT AND OR DIAPER. NOT THE BAPTISMAL GARMENT. Once father has submerged your child you will be dismissed to change your child.  At that time you will change him/her into their BAPTIMSAL GARMENT and return to join the congregation.

More Information

What is Stage II?

What we call Stage II is actually the first half of the Rite of Baptism.  When this is done at a private rite both parts of the ceremony are performed together. Father Pike felt that the fullest experience of the Baptism Rite should be achieved, and so arranged this means toward this aim.

 Our Stage II consists of the Welcoming Rite at the Door, the Naming ceremony, the signing of the cross on the forehead, Gospel scripture, and the anointing of the first oil, the Oil of the Catechumen.

The Rite performed at Mass picks up from there for the second session of the ceremony: the profession of faith, the baptism, the anointing of the Oil of Chrism, the ceremony of the candle and white garments, and the blessings of the husband and wife and godparents.

 

In what does the essential rite of Baptism consist?

The essential rite of this sacrament consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water over his or her head while invoking the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

What is the role of a Godparent?

The godparents, as representative of the Christian community, present the child at baptism and help the parents to lead the child to a Christian way of life. This includes helping the child to faithfully fulfill the obligations connected with our Catholic faith.

Who can be Godparents?

Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each gender can be godparents. Godparents must be at least 16, have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, and not be the child’s parents (grandparents are discouraged as godparents because of their already important role) must be a catholic in good standing.

Non-Catholics of other Christian denominations who are actively practicing their faith may serve as a Christian witness providing at least one of the godparents is Catholic.

Why must the Godparents fill out the Godparent Eligibility Form?

Each godparent is required to obtain a letter confirming their membership in their local parish thus demonstrating their ability to serve as a godparent.

What is the difference between a godparent and a witness?

Witness is the term that is only mentioned in the Code of Canon Law. Conon Law describes a witness as “A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community.” A godparent is a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the church.

What information is entered on the Baptismal Certificate?

A Baptismal certificate is routinely issued after the baptism.  (Please keep this certificate in a safe place for future use.)  The name of the child, parents and godparents are taken directly from the Baptismal Registration Form you fill out, so be careful that the names are spelled accurately when completing the form. The names and birth date information on the Baptism Registration Form must be the same as the information on the child’s birth certificate.

The child’s name is entered into the parish baptismal register, which is the primary document of baptism. It is in this parish register (known as the “baptizing parish” record) that notations will be made of events in the future which change the child’s status in the Church (like confirmation, 1st communion, marriage information etc.,).

                                                                                    (Revised: June 2014)

For more on the Sacrament of Baptism, click here.